England is optimistic that captain Leah Williamson will play against Italy in the Women's European Championship semifinals on Tuesday.

Esme Morgan is "very optimistic" Lionesses captain Leah Williamson will be available for Tuesday's Euro 2025 semifinal against Italy.

Defending champion England has staged a remarkable late recovery from two goals down to take its quarterfinal against Sweden to extra time at the Women’s European Championship.

As a bloodied Hannah Hampton saved two penalties to send England into the Euro 2025 semi-finals, it was all the more impressive given she was advised at a young age against pursuing football because of an eye condition that affects her depth perception.

Raw emotion and a never-say-die attitude came to the fore as the European champions somehow made it into the semi-finals

In all, 10 of the 23-player squad from Euro 2022 are not in Switzerland, five of whom have retired, namely Earps, Kirby, Jill Scott, Ellen White and Rachel Daly. Bright, Demi Stokes, Nikita Parris, Bethany England and Ellie Roebuck are the others to miss out, while long-time captain Steph Houghton retired last year.

Lucy Bronze is adamant the "proper England" mantra within the team underlines how this is a group that can find a way to win a match "by any means possible."